Although the Scottish Schools are starting to go back to the old routine this week, there are still plenty of things to do at our activity locations across Scotland. Whether you’re visiting the area on holiday or having a day out with the family, here are some awesome ideas for mini-adventures. Activities – Inverness &

Our latest newsletter is now available for all to read. With news about expansion into the Scottish Central Belt, a 5* award for TreeZone, Off-road Segways, and a canoe expedition with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, there's lots to read about. Hope you enjoy!! Read our newsletter here and please do feel free to share it with your friends.

Our latest newsletter is now available for all to read. With news about expansion into the Scottish Central Belt, a 5* award for TreeZone, Off-road Segways, and a canoe expedition with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, there’s lots to read about. Hope you enjoy!! Read our newsletter here and please do feel free to

Boots N Paddles recently ran a 3-day expedition for the Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society as a way of raising some much needed funds for this worthy charity. One of our guides Ross Boardman was joined by Alice, Mary, Ioan and Pete (the fab fundraisers) and Pam from our office. Pam pulled together a few thoughts for our blog - hope you enjoy reading them and hope you might also be inspired to join a trip in the future, helping the WDCS raise some much-needed funds in the process. Day 1: Broomhill – Ballindalloch There was a strong sense of anticipation from the group as we prepared our canoes at the river-side. Ross ran through a few elementary things before we put into the water. As soon as we were on the river our paddling tuition began in earnest, with Ross introducing some basic strokes and we were off. We practised coming from the current into an eddy all morning, ferry gliding, edging, bow rudders and draw strokes as we enjoyed the beautiful countryside with the stunning Cairngorms in the background. Everyone was up for learning and the group gelled really well in their paddling pairs, with Pete and Ioan in one canoe and Alice and Mary in another. By the end of the first day we had tackled our first rapids confidently and we were travelling at good speed down the Spey. Our first night was wild camping near Ballindalloch, although the group agreed we were doing it in some considerable style with our teepee, wood burning stove, gourmet cooking by our supremely capable guide Ross, and a glass of wine to wash it all down. Still, we felt that we were really getting back to nature and sharing all the chores of setting up camp really helped pull

Boots N Paddles recently ran a 3-day expedition for the Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society as a way of raising some much needed funds for this worthy charity. One of our guides Ross Boardman was joined by Alice, Mary, Ioan and Pete (the fab fundraisers) and Pam from our office. Pam pulled together a few

Canoe sailing brings a new dimension to canoeing and is FUN! Having recently tried canoe sailing for the first time in May this year, I enjoyed it so much that I've just gone out and bought one. It's not perhaps something that many 'new-to-canoeing' paddlers might consider doing, but it doesn't have to be difficult and can make the journey along the likes of Loch Ness a breeze, if you'll pardon the pun. Although my wife questions the apparently endless new bits of kit that arrive through my door I think this one will appeal to her. Although a fan of canoeing, there are occasions when she is perhaps, keen to move a bit more quickly on long open stretches! This is where a sail can come in very handy and keep your partner happy! There are all sorts of shapes and sizes of sails and ways in which you can fix them to a single canoe or a bunch of boats rafted up together. At its most basic you could use an umbrella or something like a big orange survival bag that you might buy in an outdoor shop (using a couple of poles or spare paddles to help make a sail). You could also purchase a basic canoe sail like the one sold by Endless River, which again, just needs a couple of paddles or poles to create a sail, but with the advantage of being able to see where you're going! After that, they get bigger and fancier and more expensive, but all doing the same basic job. On our recent guided Great Glen Canoe Expedition, our instructor Ade, rigged up a sail having rafted the canoes together. It made for an exciting journey along Loch Lochy's length and a well earned rest for the paddlers. The

Canoe sailing brings a new dimension to canoeing and is FUN! Having recently tried canoe sailing for the first time in May this year, I enjoyed it so much that I’ve just gone out and bought one. It’s not perhaps something that many ‘new-to-canoeing’ paddlers might consider doing, but it doesn’t have to be difficult

If you're into the outdoors and need to know when to avoid the wind or indeed if you're actively looking for windy conditions, then this website could be what you're looking for. XCWeather.co.uk provides up to date weather conditions, but in particular has a great overview of current and forecasted wind conditions. We also like the Norwegian-based site YR.no. Given its proximity to Scotland, forecasts from the Norwegian-based site are sometimes more accurate (for Scotland) than what we get from elsewhere. Wind tends to go hand in hand with surfing too, whether that's on a board, windsurfer or in a kayak. The Magic Seaweed website provides some very detailed info about when the next swell will hit our shores. If you're near a radio, the Radio Scotland weekend Activity Forecast is also worth listening for - find out more here on the Radio Scotland website pages. Finally, as a great all round weather forecasting website you musn't forget the good old Met office. Lots and lots of handy info for anyone that plans to head out for an adventure whether, on land or sea, or even I suppose in the air! If you found this useful please share it on Facebook or Twitter!

If you’re into the outdoors and need to know when to avoid the wind or indeed if you’re actively looking for windy conditions, then this website could be what you’re looking for. XCWeather.co.uk provides up to date weather conditions, but in particular has a great overview of current and forecasted wind conditions. We also like

Our very own Mike (Dunthorne) has just volunteered to step-in as a last minute replacement for a rather onerous challenge. Mike will join Chris Ostler and attempt to paddle the full 96km of the Great Glen Canoe Trail, non-stop within 24 hours!! Why would any sane person do this when we normally recommend to clients that they take 4 or 5 days to do the same journey? Well, Mike and Chris are attempting to raise money for the Highland Hospice and start the challenge on 27th June. Chris's brother Duncan, who was due to attempt the challenge has had to pull out due to ill-health, so Mike has stepped up to help out, knowing only too well what he's letting himself in for. The Sea-to-Sea 24 challenge will raise much needed funds to support the amazing work that the Highland Hospice does and you can support the hospice by sponsoring Mike and Chris at www.justgiving.com/sea-to-sea24. They are attempting to raise £2375, or £25 per kilometre. Please help if you can. With only 2 weeks to go, Mike is currently out training in case you're wondering!

Our very own Mike (Dunthorne) has just volunteered to step-in as a last minute replacement for a rather onerous challenge. Mike will join Chris Ostler and attempt to paddle the full 96km of the Great Glen Canoe Trail, non-stop within 24 hours!! Why would any sane person do this when we normally recommend to clients

I enjoy paddling (a lot), and by that I don't mean taking my shoes off, rolling up my trousers and stepping into the icy North Sea. I prefer the paddling that involves a boat and a paddle. I'm not alone though as there are growing numbers of people at all ages getting involved in the huge variety of different paddlesports. With events such as the hugely successful Tay Descent (a family friendly fun event on the River Tay) more and more people are becoming aware of the enjoyment on offer from paddlesports (Tay Descent 2012). I tend towards canoes and sea kayaks, and with lots and lots still to learn I'm always on the look out for advice, tips, recommendations and accounts of other paddlers' experiences. The explosion in social media forums is making access to this information easier by the day, but my favourite forum is one that's been established for quite some time now, and was the brainchild of a man is known as MagicKelly. The Song of the Paddle forum was created after MagicKelly spent some time searching for information on open canoeing in the UK. There are a number of canoeing sites with sections for open canoe users, but no site devoted solely to them, so he made one! The main part of the site has information and links for the open canoeist but the heart of the site is the forum. This is where much of the content of the main site is created and refined. The forum is an area where open canoeists can share ideas, ask questions arrange outings, compare kit and sell off their old kit. It is this interactive element that is the strength of the Song of the Paddle site. If a review has left you with questions, you can

I enjoy paddling (a lot), and by that I don’t mean taking my shoes off, rolling up my trousers and stepping into the icy North Sea. I prefer the paddling that involves a boat and a paddle. I’m not alone though as there are growing numbers of people at all ages getting involved in the

Thanks to Jim Krawiecki (Guardian.co.uk, Tue 1 Jul 2008) who gives us a quick guide round the best sea kayaking coastlines in Europe. Scotland features in this list, unsurprisingly. Europe has a terrific variety of coastlines that offer differing sea kayaking experiences, both on our own shores and further afield. The UK arguably has the lion's share of coastal drama, so you don't have to travel overseas to reach a world-class sea kayaking destination. But there are also many unique coastal characteristics on the coasts of mainland Europe, which can be reached almost as easily as remote corners of the British Isles. 1. Shetland These are the islands with raw northern exposure. They share the same degree of latitude as southern Greenland but have a surprisingly mild climate. Ocean swell features heavily here and has shaped the rugged coast with sea cliffs interspersed with small beaches and coves. The main distinguishing feature of the Shetland coastline is the number of sea caves which are huge and often complex structures hundreds of metres long with side passages and collapsed roofs where shafts of sunlight shine into the crystal blue waters from above. Flights from many regional UK airports. Ferries from Aberdeen. It is possible to paddle from the ferry terminal on Shetland. Guidebook: The Northern Isles from pesdapress.com 2. West coast of Scotland With its islands and sea lochs this is the honey pot of European sea kayaking destinations. The western isles of Jura and Islay, with distilleries at Craighouse Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain, form part of a kayaker's whisky trail. Deep sheltered sea lochs provide endless days of adventure when inclement weather makes paddling on the open sea too difficult. Remote deserted beaches with white sands make for perfect lunch stops. The perfect getaway for sea kayaking enthusiasts from the

Thanks to Jim Krawiecki (Guardian.co.uk, Tue 1 Jul 2008) who gives us a quick guide round the best sea kayaking coastlines in Europe. Scotland features in this list, unsurprisingly. Europe has a terrific variety of coastlines that offer differing sea kayaking experiences, both on our own shores and further afield. The UK arguably has the

This is the site where all paddlers including kayakers, canoeists, and rafters can find out what the river levels are in Scotland (including dam release information). Kayaking conditions are calculated using river level guage data collected at regular intervals from SEPA. If you didn't know about it before then I hope this helps. Website link: //www.wheresthewater.com/ Disclaimer: Please use this service as a tool to help you get to the river at the right water level but remember there is no substitute for personal risk assessment and carefully checking the water conditions before going afloat. The decision on whether to paddle or not, and any consequences arising from that decision remain yours and yours alone.

This is the site where all paddlers including kayakers, canoeists, and rafters can find out what the river levels are in Scotland (including dam release information). Kayaking conditions are calculated using river level guage data collected at regular intervals from SEPA. If you didn’t know about it before then I hope this helps. Website link: